Book Your Fishing Charter in Otis, MA

Go off the beaten path on your next New England fishing trip and immerse in the tranquil town of Otis. Deep on the southern end of the Berkshire Mountains and dotted with hills and bodies of water, Otis is an outdoor lover’s wonderland. Historically, it played a huge part in the ending of the Siege of Boston, the evidence of which can still be found when you drive through Route 23. Today, though it doesn’t see as much action, it remains alive as a great place to live and as a quiet weekend getaway.

The town's life is pretty much centered on the Otis Reservoir, as is most of the fishing. But local anglers will be the first to tell you that you should cast your line further out and explore the rest of the town. Otis may be small and unassuming, but it definitely offers plenty more fly fishing and ice fishing spots that are worth including in your bucket list.

Otis Fishing: Productive Berkshire County Fishing 

Here in Otis, the passion for fishing is very much alive, the way it is with the rest of the state. It has a favorable location that makes it a great fishing destination almost all year round. Its quintessentially New England vistas make for a truly rewarding fishing experience.

Start your Otis fishing journey by heading straight to the Otis Reservoir, which you can access at Tolland State Forest.  This reservoir is annually stocked with brook trout during spring and fall. Still, it also attracts fish such as largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, yellow perch and white perch, chain pickerel, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, brown bullhead, redbreast sunfish, white sucker, northern pike, golden shiner, and tiger muskellunge. 

Next up on the Otis bucket list is the Farmington River, particularly its West Branch, which you can access within the town. This part of the river, a major Connecticut River tributary, is stocked with trout and native trout, smallmouth bass, and carp.

On the northern part of Route 23, anglers can find the Big Pond, which goes by Lake Winiscutt and Big Benton Pond. It’s not an ideal place to fish from the shoreline, but it does offer a concrete boat ramp on the southern edge of the pond where you can launch a boat or canoe. If you insist on fishing from the shore, head to the northern part of the pond, where you’ll find an undeveloped shoreline with a forested wetland. This pond is produced almost all year round but is especially great as an ice fishing pond.

Get Closer to the Great Outdoors in Otis

1. Camp at Tolland State Forest

Tolland State Forest offers plenty of outdoor activities, including fishing and hunting, but the best way to experience it is to camp in it. It’s open from mid-May to mid-October and costs 17 USD per night for Massachusetts residents and 54 USD per night for the rest.

3. Ski at Otis Ridge

Otis Ridge is a small ski area that is still alive and a well-loved local destination. It’s a great place to introduce your entire family to skiing, especially your kids. Aside from day and night skiing, it offers overnight ski camp for kids aged 8 to 15.